Sometimes collecting measurements on a rooftop can be difficult, even dangerous. In this article, I want to show a few ways roofing contractors capture hard-to-get measurements efficiently and stay safe in the process.
In this article we’ll cover the following:
- How to create measurable documents when drawings are not available
- Measuring sloped surfaces and lengths for material takeoffs
- Drawing and image tools for documenting site conditions
First, let’s do material quantity takeoffs on a commercial project. This project is an old building with no available construction drawings. The roof is flat but we need to generate a drawing layout to include the surface area, any parapet heights where materials continue from the horizontal surface to vertical. We also might have to account for materials at expansion joints, curbs, or count the number of drain locations.
3:31 Measurements on New Document
In the event you cannot find a good quality aerial image, we might have to do a site visit, but we can still collect valuable information using Revu.
6:04 Measurements on Aerial Images
One way we can establish a drawing to measure quantities is by generating an image from popular internet applications. Whether you go to a popular mapping site or Google Earth, we simply type in the address of the proposed project. Follow these quick steps.
8:57 Measuring Sloped Surfaces
What happens when the roof is sloped, how could Revu possibly do all the complicated math? While we used to have to build custom columns in the markups list and enter the formulas, Bluebeam of course automated it for us back in 2017 (Reason to upgrade).
Use the count tools to note roof vents, pipe flashing, or other penetrations.
For the ridge and valley measurements, you’re going to use the standard length measurement, but again adding the roof slope to get the actual sloped dimension.
Documenting Site Conditions
When possible it’s always best practice to actually see the roof, assess any damage, and record information that may affect the scope and bid. With these other methods, roof access wasn’t available so maybe a cost is added to cover surprises. Just like any contractor, Bluebeam has tools available for collecting field data.
I hope this was helpful in pointing out the tools that are available in Revu to take advantage of as a roofing contractor. As always there are many others, I just wanted to get you thinking about the possibilities of estimating, collecting field notes and images.
I probably gave away too many secrete in this post, if you’re interested in seeing these steps in action, check out a video I created just for the roofing contractor.
If you’d like help creating custom tools for specific material takeoffs, site visits, or just want to learn more about what’s possible, please connect with me. I’d love to learn what workflows have led to your company’s success and see if we can improve on them in a custom digital workflow.
If you or your team needs custom framing tools or training, connect with me @ https://uchapter2.com/
Bluebeam, Revu, eXtreme, Bluebeam Vu, Studio, Batch Link, and Punchkey, are registered trademarks of Bluebeam Inc., used under license.:
